Binge drinking increases risk of cognitive decline

July 18, 2012

Moderate drinking and binge drinking among older people increase the risk for cognitive decline and memory loss, according to two studies presented today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2012 in Vancouver, Canada.

Adults ages 65 and older who reported binge drinking at least twice a month were more than twice as likely to suffer cognitive declines than their non-drinking peers, researchers reported at the international Alzheimer's conference in Vancouver.

Adults ages 65 and older who reported binge drinking at least twice a month were 2½ times more likely to suffer cognitive and memory declines than similar-aged adults who don't binge-drink. In this study, binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks on one occasion.

"It's not just how much you drink but the pattern of your drinking," says lead author Iain Lang of the University of Exeter in England. "Older people need to be aware, if they do binge-drink, of the risks and they should change their behaviors."

Binge drinking appears to be a big problem in the USA. The findings follow a study in January by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that one in six adults in the USA are binge drinkers and those in the 65-plus age group binge-drink more often than any other age group. In that survey, binge drinking is defined as men having five or more drinks within a short period of time and women having four or more drinks.

To view the full story, click this link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-07-18/alzheimers-binge-drinking/56310294/1

Source: USA Today

July 19, 2012

It can be tedious to open any business, but under current laws, liquor store owners go through an even more complicated process than most. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is trying to make it easier, but liquor store owners aren't sure it will help.

Liquor store owners have to get a liquor permit from the state, as well as a license from the county to sell beer and wine.

The TABC says they want to streamline the process by issuing both the permit and the license through one office.

The Barrel House liquor stores have been around El Paso for decades.  Richard Telles-Goins owns all eight of them. He says it takes a lot of work maintaining licenses for all of his stores. 

The TABC says they want to simplify the process of applying for beer licenses and liquor permits so they'd both come from the same place, either the county of the TABC, not both.

"It's complicated for applicants and a little bit complicated for agencies to have two different processes for applications for somethings that are very similar," said TABC spokesperson Carolyn Beck.

But the Barrel House owner does not agree.

"It may save the state on their accounting and great because, you know, that's saving me money but in terms of helping me individually doesn't help my store at all," said Telles-Goins.

Link: http://www.kdbc.com/news/making-liquor-licenses-easier-ot-acquire

Source: KDBC

July 19, 2012

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is the leading preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities in children, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But according to a new report, that's not stopping pregnant women from drinking.

In the latest issue of its journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC investigates drinking rates among pregnant women, and finds about one in 13 pregnant women drink. Of those women, almost one in five reported binge drinking - having four or more drinks in about two hours - during pregnancy.

The CDC says there is no known safe amount of alcohol or safe time to drink while pregnant.

Researchers looked at self-reports on drinking habits from 345,076 women ages 18 to 44 years old who were a part of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data pool collected from 2006 to 2010. Of these women, 13,880 - or 4 percent - were pregnant.

Those who were most likely to report alcohol use during pregnancy were between the ages of 35 and 44 (14 percent of pregnant women), white (8 percent), college graduates (10 percent) and were employed (almost 10 percent).

To view the full story, click this link:http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57476160-10391704/1-in-13-pregnant-women-drink-alcohol-cdc-says/

Source: CBS News

July 19, 2012

Oregon liquor sales surged 35 percent in June at stores near the border with Washington as new regulations in that state took effect north of the Columbia River, Oregon Liquor Control Commission data show.

The numbers back up anecdotal reports that shoppers from Washington have been crossing the border to escape higher liquor prices resulting from an initiative that voters approved last year.

One store in Rainier across the Columbia from Longview, Wash., saw a 60 percent increase in June over the same month in 2011, according to OLCC data obtained by The Associated Press under Oregon's public records law. Stores in Umatilla and Milton-Freewater - close to the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla in Washington, respectively - reported sales spikes above 50 percent.

Altogether, at 13 liquor stores near the Washington border, revenue was up 35 percent in June, providing Oregon an influx of nearly $870,000 in gross revenue.

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/apnewsbreak-oregon-liquor-sales-way-up-near-northern-border-as-washington-shoppers-flee-taxes/2012/07/18/gJQA8YfMuW_story.html

Source: Associated Press